Volkswagen Repair: EPC Light stuck in Park, mass air meter, accelerator pedal

Question
i have a 01 jetta gl automatic.  we were driving one day and the EPC light came on.  I guess it was night time cuz we also noticed the brake lights werent working either.  we had to stop for milk so my wife stayed in the car, I got the milk, we had it in park but left it runing.  when I came back out we coulndt get it into drive and I realized since the car "couldnt tell" I was pushing the brakes it wouldnt release the safety thing in the shifter. I figured it was the brakelight switch (which I later read was a common failure) so I got a new one and installed it but it didnt help at all,  so we called a toe truck.  the toe guy showed us that if you put the key in the 1st position you can shift it to neutral, then start it, then go from neutral to drive.  this worked and I started driving it. the whole way home the car wouldnt leave 2nd gear and the check engine light is now on as well.  I actually tried shifting from drive to 3rd while driving and it made A HUGE clunck and bucked the car so hard I though I hit a brick wall! but it stayed in 2nd!  I guess what Im asking is, is there 1 cause for all of these problems (EPC light, check engine, 2nd gear only) or are they unrelated, or is it normal for the car to only let you in 2nd gear if you start it in neutral as some kinda safety thing?)  
I cant believe there are so many problems, this car only has 44k miles on it but is 5 years old so the warrenty is up!!!
Please help!
thanks!

Answer
The Epc light is electronic pedal control. The light will come on when there is a problem with the accelerator pedal control. The mass air meter, throttle body, accelerator pedal, wiring from the accelerator pedal to the throttle body, wiring at the mass air meter, and of course the brake switch. The problem of being stuck in park is usually only one problem. The brake switch not reading your foot on the brake pedal. So if the brake lights don't work, the epc light is on, and the vehicle is stuck in park then its either all four wires at the brake switch is bad or the brake switch is bad. The switch can fail in all the symptoms , one of the symptoms, or share two of the symptoms.  There have been a VW recall for many years on the brake switch. Its been updated many times. Sometimes even new ones last a couple of weeks. If there installed wrong then the switch fails and a new one most of the time is required. Wiring of the switch is for the engine module to let it know when to cut back on fuel and expect to close the throttle plate in the throttle body, the other wire is for the transmission module to let it know how to down shift and to expect a decrease in engine power. The other wiring from is for the brake lights. The transmission module sends a signal to the park neutral solenoid to unlock the lever when brakes are stepped on. The new switch is most likely bad. The shift lock solenoid will not turn on the epc light but will keep the shift lever in park if the solenoid lock fails or gets soda on it. There is a recall on your vehicle called the N4. If this has not been done then go see the dealer. If it has been done then get the part warranted. Most of the time you can not return a electrical part after its been used. Only way to return it is if a VW tech installed it and the part failed. So I suggest see the dealer for the recall. Its only been around for a couple of months. If you need more help keep in touch. Good luck.